Author Archives: wallwritings

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About wallwritings

From 1972 through 1999, James M. Wall was editor and publisher of the Christian Century magazine, based in Chicago, lllinois. He was a Contributing Editor of the Century from 1999 until July, 2017. He has written this blog, wall writings.me, since it was launched April 27, 2008. If you would like to receive Wall Writings alerts when new postings are added to this site, send a note, saying, Please Add Me, to jameswall8@gmail.com Biography: Journalism was Jim's undergraduate college major at Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia. He has earned two MA degrees, one from Emory, and one from the University of Chicago, both in religion. He is an ordained United Methodist clergy person. He served for two years in the US Air Force, and three additional years in the USAF reserve. While serving on active duty with the Alaskan Command, he reached the rank of first lieutenant. He has worked as a sports writer for both the Atlanta Journal and Constitution, was editor of the United Methodist magazine, Christian Advocate for ten years, and editor and publisher of the Christian Century magazine for 27 years. James M Wall died March 22, 2021 at age 92. His family appreciates all of his readers, even those who may have disagreed with his well-informed writings.

Thomas More: “I’d give the Devil benefit of law, for my own safety’s sake”

by James M. Wall In his press conference Wednesday night, President Obama was asked two questions about torture. In his first answer he referred to an article he read recently. His staff did not initially provide the source, but Huffington … Continue reading

Posted in Movies, Politics and Elections | 4 Comments

Arlen Specter’s Switch Is a Mixed Blessing to Progressives

by James M. Wall Not to be churlish about it, but news that Arlen Specter has switched parties to save himself from certain defeat in the 2010 Republican primary comes as a mixed blessing for peace and justice progressives.  Specter … Continue reading

Posted in Politics and Elections | 1 Comment

U.S. Justice Department May Drop Spy Case Against AIPAC Lobbyists

by James M. Wall                                                            Pro-Israeli Congresswoman Jane Harman (D-Ca) may not be … Continue reading

Posted in Middle East, Middle East Politics | 3 Comments

Jane Harman Caught on NSA Wiretap Cutting a Deal with an Israeli “Agent”

by James M. Wall               Representative Jane Harman (D-California) is in a tough spot. She has been caught on an NSA wiretap cutting a deal with an Israeli agent.  Will Representative Harman become the Rod … Continue reading

Posted in Politics and Elections | 1 Comment

Wingnuts, Blinders and Bubbles: Obama Continues U.S. Obeisance to Israel

by James M. Wall The right wing media wingnuts (Urban Dictionary: “A wingnut: An outspoken, irrational person with deeply-held, nominally conservative, political views”) went wild over the slight bow they detected when President Obama greeted Saudi Arabia’s King Abdullah with a … Continue reading

Posted in Middle East Politics, Politics and Elections | 1 Comment

Yes to Tutu, Cuba Travel, and Marriage in Vermont

By James M. Wall The times they are a’changing.  Not immediately and not fast enough, but the signs are promising.  Consider these three stories: Michigan State President Says No to ADL Michigan State University invited retired South African Archbishop Desmond … Continue reading

Posted in Religion and politics, Religious Faith, The Human Condition | 4 Comments

Could Avraham Burg Be Israel’s Future Barack Obama?

by James M. Wall                 Avraham Burg is the former Speaker of the Israeli Parliament and former Chairman of the Jewish Agency for Israel and the World Zionist Organization. Winding up a recent book … Continue reading

Posted in Middle East Politics | 2 Comments

Jewels in the American Crown: Obama, Hightower and Maddow

by James M. Wall                                 Elections do have consequences. Imagine any other current American politician handling questions from the international press corp and town hall … Continue reading

Posted in Politics and Elections, The Human Condition | 2 Comments

Looking for a Bishop in The Family Tree

By James M. Wall This blog is concerned, among other things, with current events, history, and religious connections. You don’t like family history? Well stick around, at least long enough to hear, below, a rousing rendering of  “Old Dan Tucker” … Continue reading Continue reading

Posted in Religious Faith | 19 Comments

The Public Is Mad at Big Business; So Why is EFCA in Trouble?

by James M. Wall         Things are becoming “curiouser and curiouser” in Wonderland. We have fallen into that deep hole with Alice where up is down and down is up. “Who are YOU?” said the Caterpillar. This … Continue reading

Posted in Politics and Elections | 2 Comments